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Stellantis Pro One Achieves No. 1 Spot in Middle East & Africa Region and Strengthens Commercial Vehicle Leadership in Europe and South America

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Achieves No. 1 spot with a record 26% market share in Middle East&Africa, led by strong performance in Algeria with the FIAT Professional brand; Confirms market leadership in Europe 30 and South America; North America plays a key role in Pro One success; Ram announces new professional commercial vehicle division; Stellantis Pro One (www.Stellantis.com) on track to global leadership by 2027; achieve Dare Forward 2030 target. 

Demonstrating its market leadership in the Middle East and Africa region for the second quarter in a row, the Stellantis Pro One commercial vehicles offensive delivered an excellent performance in the first quarter of 2024, accounting for one-third of Net revenues reported by Stellantis.

The performance highlights the strength of Stellantis Pro One in global markets and puts it on track to achieve global leadership in commercial vehicles by 2027 and reach the targets outlined in the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan.

Stellantis Pro One Middle East and Africa region market share reached 26% in the first quarter of 2024. In addition, it maintained the No. 1 position in both EU30 and South America regions. For EU30 BEV (battery electric vehicle) sales for the quarter, Pro One takes the top spot with 33% market share, with the Peugeot brand leading across the region. 

“The Q1 2024 sales performance in commercial vehicles confirms and validates our Stellantis Pro One strategy,” said Xavier Peugeot, Stellantis Senior Vice President, Commercial Vehicles Business. “The enthusiastic welcome of our entirely new van line-up, combined with new connected services and concrete hydrogen fuel cell propulsion van offers confirm Stellantis’ position as the relevant choice for professionals.”

Regional highlights include:

Europe 30:

Maintained commercial vehicle leadership with 30% market share (ICE + BEV)  
Continued BEV leadership with 33% market share; Peugeot No. 1 brand
No. 1 in France and Spain; No. 1 in Italy with FIAT Professional market leader; No. 1 in Germany with market share up 3.6 percentage points vs. Q1 2023
BEV leadership in Poland, Belgium, and Portugal; and in the Netherlands with a 2.7 percentage point increase in total market share
Expansion of in-house production of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on both mid-size and large vans during the year in Hordain (France) and Gliwice (Poland) will boost the Company’s Pro One hydrogen offerings and help cement Stellantis’ standing as the undisputed leader in European commercial vehicle market.

Middle East&Africa:

Stellantis Pro One achieved the No. 1 spot in the Middle East&Africa region for the second consecutive quarter
Led by strong performance in Algeria with the FIAT Professional brand, Stellantis achieves leadership in the region becoming No. 1 in light commercial vehicles (LCV) with 26% market share, up 7.5 percentage points versus Q1 2023
More than 60% volume growth fueled by Algeria, Turkey, and GCC (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman)
Stellantis maintained its No. 1 position in Turkey, Israel and overseas departments and regions of France.

North America:

Ram maintains its No. 3 position in the region 
New Ram trucks: 2025 Ram 1500 with more powerful, fuel-efficient Hurricane Twin Turbo engine now available; 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman tailored for fleet customers; and Ram 1500 RHO with 540-horsepower Hurricane H/O
In March, Ram announced the new Ram Professional commercial vehicle division with full-service customer mobility and value solutions.

South America:

Leader in LCV with 31.5% market share versus 26.6% in Q1 2023
Market leader in van and pickup sales in the region, with 37.7% and 36.5% share, respectively
FIAT Professional is the leading LCV brand in the region with 23.1% share vs. 19.9% Q1 23; Strada is the “most sold” LCV in the region with 13.8% market share vs. 11.5% Q1 23
Ram Rampage No. 2 in Brazil (C-segment pickup) with a 23% market share.

India&Asia Pacific:

Peugeot light commercial vehicles retail sales improved 50% versus the first quarter of 2023
FIAT Professional commercial performance increased 8% year-over-year, thanks to the brand’s strong performance in Australia
Ram remains the No. 1 brand in the 1-ton-plus pickup segment in the Australian market.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Stellantis.

For more information, contact:
Fernão SILVEIRA
+31 6 43 25 43 41
fernao.silveira@stellantis.com

Alessandro NARDIZZI
+39 338 62 39 046
alessandro.nardizzi@stellantis.com

communications@stellantis.com
www.Stellantis.com

Social Media: 
X: @Stellantis
Facebook: Stellantis
LinkedIn: Stellantis
YouTube: Stellantis

About Stellantis Pro One: 
Stellantis Pro One is dedicated to leading the global commercial vehicle market with the most efficient portfolio of products, 20,000 dedicated touchpoints and competitive services, bringing exceptional solutions from the Citroën, FIAT Professional, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall brands to professional customers. One of seven accretive businesses in the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, Stellantis Pro One targets a doubling of revenues, a 40% electric vehicle mix with battery, hydrogen fuel-cell and range-extending propulsion technologies, over-the-air update capabilities for each new vehicle from 2026, a suite of connected services dedicated to improving business customer efficiency, and innovative autonomous solutions. As such, Stellantis Pro One will strongly contribute to achievement of the Dare Forward 2030 objectives to reach a 100% passenger car BEV sales mix in Europe and 50% passenger car and light-duty truck BEV sales mix in the United States by 2030. Stellantis Pro One is fully part of the company ambition to become a carbon net zero corporation by 2038, all scopes included, with single-digit percentage compensation of remaining emissions.

About Stellantis: 
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) is one of the world’s leading automakers aiming to provide clean, safe and affordable freedom of mobility to all. It’s best known for its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. Stellantis is executing its Dare Forward 2030, a bold strategic plan that paves the way to achieve the ambitious target of becoming a carbon net zero mobility tech company by 2038, with single-digit percentage compensation of the remaining emissions, while creating added value for all stakeholders. For more information, visit www.Stellantis.com.

Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) meets the 83 Winners of “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension” Media Awards 2023, in partnership with the First Ladies of Africa

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Merck Foundation CEO (www.Merck-Foundation.com) announced call for application of 2024 Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards in partnership with African First Ladies – apply now at submit@merck-foundation.com.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, in partnership with the African First Ladies, announced the winners of Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition “More Than a Mother” Awards 2023 and “Diabetes and Hypertension” Awards 2023. The awards ceremony was held via Videoconference to felicitate all the media award winners.

The winners were announced and acknowledged by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” campaign. The theme of “More Than a Mother” Awards was to raise awareness on any of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV at all levels and the theme of “Diabetes and Hypertension” Awards was to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension in the African countries.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed, “I am proud to announce the winners. We have 83 winners from 22 African countries in partnership with my dear sisters First Ladies of Africa and Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More than a Mother”. Congratulations to all our winners.

We started our Media Awards in 2017, and year after year we are witnessing a substantial increase in the number of outstanding and regular  entries from many African countries, which is very encouraging for us.

All our winners are the Champions of critical and sensitive social and health issues in their communities.

It’s truly inspiring to witness how we’re actively involving and engaging everyone, enabling them to be the voice of the voiceless and create a culture shift.

I’m delighted to extend a warm welcome as you join the Merck Foundation Alumni. let’s keep raising awareness on social and health together .”

Merck Foundation is additionally rewarding the winners by providing them with one year access of an online educational training program called ‘MasterClass’. The MasterClass is an immersive online experience and self-paced learning course that can be accessed anywhere with the internet.

Senator Rasha Kelej further added, “We recently met and awarded the winners from Kenya, during my visit to the Nairobi for Merck Foundation Kenya Alumni Summit and Award Ceremony. Moreover, we will soon be meeting the Winners of Ghana, Botswana and Tanzania, during our upcoming visits.”

“I would also like to announce the Call for Applications for the Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2024 “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension”. These awards are in partnership with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother””, concluded Senator Kelej.

Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2023

Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of The Gambia, H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW; and The First Lady of Ghana and H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

Raissa Sambou, The Spectator, Ghana (First Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee, Myjoyonline, Ghana (First Position)
Mariam Hamzat, Freelancer, Nigeria (Second Position)
Mariama, Dem Star.gm, The Gambia (Second Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNER

Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh, New Narratives, Liberia (First Position)
Mavis Offei Acheampong, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Ghana (Second Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

Emmanuel Samani, TV3, Ghana (First Position)
Stanley Nii Blewu, TV3, Ghana (Second Position)

Here are the Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Malawi, H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of Zambia, H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA; The First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS

Melody Mupeta, Zambia Daily, Zambia (First Position)
Moses Mugugunyeki, The Standard, Zimbabwe, (Second Position)
Gresham Ngwira, Freelancer, Malawi (Second Position)
Sonja Smith, The Namibian, Namibia  (Third Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Michael Magoronga, Zimpapers, Zimbabwe (First Position)
Munyaradzi Blessing Doma, ZimNow, Zimbabwe (Second Position)
Caroline Mapando, Africabrief, Malawi (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Charlotte Nambadja, Desert Radio, Namibia (First Position)
Britta Mpata Blantyre, Synod Radio, Malawi (First Position)
Sera Tamina, Radio Icengelo, Zambia (Second Position)
Monde Chaba, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Zambia (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

Mirriam Kayemba, CAMNET TV,  Zambia (First Position)
Alepher Kasongo, MBC News, Malawi (Second Position)

Here are the winners from East African Countries:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS

Marco Maduhu, Nipashe Newspaper, Tanzania (First Position)
Elizabeth Angira, MT Kenya Times and People Daily, Kenya (First Position)
Shaban Njia, Nipashe Newspaper, Tanzania (Second Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Moraa Obiria, Nation Media Group, Kenya (First Position)
Isabella Maua Chemosit, The Times, Kenya (Second Position)
Aveline Kitomary, Tanzania Standard, Tanzania (Third Position)
Sophia Rukwaro, Black Hustlers TV, Kenya (Third Position)
Hudson Kuteesa, The New Times, Rwanda (Third Position)
Beatrice Philemon Mukocho, The Guardian Newspaper, Tanzania (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Caren Waraba Sisya, Citizen Radio, Kenya (First Position)
Olga Fadhil Lungala, Moshifm Radio, Tanzania (Second Position)
Adam Hhando, CG FM, Tanzania (Second Position)
Namale Hajara Shahista, CBS FM, Uganda (Third Position)
Angela Kezengwa, Citizen Radio, Kenya (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER

Walter Mwesigye, NTV Uganda, Uganda (First Position)
Elizabeth Atieno Ochieng, TV 47 KENYA, Kenya (Second Position)

Here are the winners from French Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Burundi, H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE; The First Lady of Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

Koami Agbetiafa, Societe, Niger (First Position)
Astère NDUWAMUNGU, www.lerenouveau.bi, Burundi (Second Position)
Traore Brehima, The TOGUNA, Mali (Third Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Mêmèdé Ambroisine Azododassi, Savoir News, Togo (First Position)
Jessy NZENGU, lualabamaprovince.com, DRC (First Position)
AYIBE Ablavi Ayélo, SAVOIR NEWS, Togo (Second Position)
Tognisse Pugilbert Yannick, DecryptageBenin.com, Benin (Third Position)
Haburanimana Gérard, Agaseke.bi, Burundi (Third Position)
JEANINE NYABENDA, Ijisho Web Site News TV, Burundi (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Cyriaque NDAYISHIMIYE, Radio TV BUNTU, Burundi (First Position)
Edmond Niyonkur, Radio Ubuzima-FM, Burundi (Second Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

Bahwa Ferdinand, Le Journal.Africa, Burundi (First Position)
Amadou BELLO, Balafon Direct, Cameroon (Second Position)

Here are the winners from Portuguese Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Cabo Verde, H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO:

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Ângelo Amaro Semedo, DW África, Cabo Verde (First Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Maria José Teixeira Veiga Macedo, Rádio de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde (First Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

Edineia Barros, TV Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde (First Position)

Merck Foundation “Diabetes&Hypertension” Media Recognition Awards 2023

Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Ghana, H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

Jennifer Ambolley, Chronicle, Ghana (First Position)
Godwin Awuni Anafo, Daily Graphic, Ghana (Second Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Odimegwu Onwumere, thenigerianvoice.com, Nigeria (First Position)
Muniratu Akweley Issah, Ghana News Agency, Ghana (Second Position)
Cecilia Lagba Yada, Ghanaian Times, Ghana (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER

Grace Hammoah Agyemang, TV3, Ghana (First Position)

Here are the Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Malawi, H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of Zambia, H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA; The First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

Ed-Grant Ndoza, Malawi News Agency, Malawi (First Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Maria Kandjungu, Unwrap, Namibia (First Position)
Alain Kabinda, Daily News Agency, Zambia (Second Position)
Rosalia Hipondoka, DBS Blogposts, Namibia (Third Position)
Phillipa Mwazvita Chinhoi, Herald.co, Zimbabwe (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Henry Haukeya, MBC Radio, Malawi (First Position)
Sylviah Chisi, Trans World Radio Malawi (TWR), Malawi (Second Position)
Martha Mzumara, Trans World Radio Malawi (TWR), Malawi (Third Position)

Here are the winners from East African Countries:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

Christina Stephen Mwakangale, Nipashe, Tanzania (First Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Lucy John Bosco, Mwananchi Online, Tanzania (First Position)
Dorcas Wangira, BBC, Kenya (Second Position)
Veronica Romwald Mrema, Freelancer, Tanzania (Third Position)
Tulinagwe Alison Malopa, Gazetini, Tanzania (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Mildrine Nafula Sabwami, North Rift Radio FM, Kenya (First Position)
Mwanaisha Mohamed Makumbuli, Highlands FM Radio, Tanzania (Second Position)

Here are the winners from French Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Burundi, H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE; and The First Lady of Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS

Moïse NKURUNZIZA, Le Renouveau du Burundi, Burundi (First Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Diplomacy&Development, DRC (First Position)
Akossiwa Agossivi YIBOKOU-MENSAH, SAVOIR NEWS, TOGO (Second Position)
Alphonse Julio GADA, GLOBAL NEWS BÉNIN, Benin (Third Position)
Petga Tonga Valgadine, lavoixdukoat.com, Cameroon (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Honorine NININAHAZWE, Burundi National Radio, Burundi  (First Position)
Maurice TUNINAHAZIMANA, Radio TV Buntu,          Burundi (Second Position)
Rémy RUKUNDO, TV BUNTU, Burundi (Third Position)
 

Here is the winner from Portuguese Speaking African Country in partnership with The First Lady of Mozambique, H.E. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI:

RADIO CATEGORY WINNER

Abdul Ibraimo, Radio of Mozambique, Mozambique (First Position)

Details of Merck Foundation Media Awards 2024:

1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition “More Than a Mother” Awards 2024

Theme for the awards: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Who can apply: Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:

Southern African Countries
West African Countries
East African Countries
French Speaking African Countries
Portuguese Speaking African Countries

Submission deadline: 30th September 2024.

2. Merck Foundation Media Recognition “Diabetes&Hypertension” Awards 2024

Theme for the awards: Promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Who can apply: Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:

Southern African Countries
West African Countries
East African Countries
French Speaking African Countries
Portuguese Speaking African Countries
Latin American Countries
Asian Countries

Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.

All entries are to be submitted to submit@merck-foundation.com.

Kindly note, sending multiple relevant entries for both the categories will increase the chances of winning the award.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Media contact:
Mehak Handa 
Community Awareness Program Manager 
+91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669  
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com 

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:
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Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download the Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/44G8mCN

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. To know more, reach out to our social media: Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com); Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4biBkex), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4bfrI4p), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4bnIuOU), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3yjN7dY), and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/44Iyz3z).

Youth Culture and Entertainment in Ethiopia

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Among Sub-Saharan countries, Ethiopia has repeatedly made the list of the fastest-growing economies in recent years. The main driving force behind this growth is the large trade industry, greatly aided by the country being the home of the coffee bean, and the technological advancements that have occurred. 

Hot on the heels of this tech have been Ethiopia’s westernization, including pop culture entertainment such as movies and music, fashion, and even the pastimes people engage in, like sports betting and drinking.

While some have called for an end to this process, believing it is destroying the country’s youth culture, others welcome it and claim that it is helping the youth experience new things and grow. With 41% of the population under 15 years old, there are certainly plenty of youth to develop and ingrain a new culture, but what exactly have been the effects? Let’s find out.

Existing Culture

The culture among Ethiopian youth has been a melting pot for decades. Facing incredible hardships and trials that youth in many other countries are exempt from, the youth have struggled and persevered in the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties.

These conditions have shaped and molded youth culture and have been pivotal in youth development until recently.

Health challenges are among the greatest of these. Steps have been taken to provide better access to health services and information, but there is still a gaping hole in proper health services that address the physical and mental needs of youth. Sexual education, in particular, has been solely overlooked, leading to massive numbers of unsafe abortions and a higher spread of HIV.

After health, education has been the next great challenge. In many instances, youth complete only primary schooling before going to work in the formal sector. Many also begin working at a young age as unpaid family workers, while women traditionally leave school due to marrying at a young age.

The lack of proper and advanced education has inflated unemployment rates in the formal job sector. In turn, this has pushed even more youth into informal work, leading to more youth being taken advantage of as cheap labor. 

These issues, although not strictly unique to Ethiopia, have led to a perceived culture of irresponsibility and recklessness among youth. Fortunately, thanks to the nation’s increasing modernization, the youth culture has been evolving, and this perception is changing.

Current Culture

As with many other African cultures, the influx of Western entertainment and influence has shaken things up. Music and other forms of popular culture are among the most significant influences on youth in Ethiopia.

Music artists from countries like the US have found a massive fanbase among Ethiopian youth, and their message has changed these listeners’ mindsets—as music can do. The growth of local music has offset this change and is evenly balanced to allow youth to keep to their roots while embracing change.

Popular pastimes and forms of entertainment common in Western countries have also made their way to the African nation. For example, gambling on the types of iGaming sites reviewed on casinos.com has increased dramatically. Despite the activity already being part of traditional culture to an extent, the industry has seen growth, leading to an annual revenue of $17.34 million.

Additional items influencing this culture shift have been the rollout of more significant telecommunication networks in the country. This has led to broader access to information, international news, and exposure to other cultures via mediums like social networks.

These external factors coming from the West have been aggregated by other internal factors. Wider availability of health services, greater importance placed on education, and lower unemployment rates have all aided this. 

Together, all these variables have created a new mixed culture of traditional Ethiopian values and more modern Western beliefs and viewpoints. However, this has not gone down smoothly among all parties.

Resistance

Like many countries, Ethiopia has a rich history and a deeply ingrained culture that has developed over millennia. Among the older generation, this is almost sacred and prioritized in virtually all aspects of life. 

With the modernization of local cultures among the youth, there has been some backlash against adopting new beliefs. Much of the older generation (and even some youth) believe that the westernization of the country is leading to the loss of traditions and beliefs established in the country for ages. 

As mentioned, some youths have voiced concerns about this, expressly mentioning the celebration of Western music despite Ethiopia having plenty of incredible artists, thus raising the question of why these are not lauded like Western options.

Alongside the loss of traditional culture, another concern is the loss of religious belief among youth. Despite not being constitutionally religious, Ethiopia is one of the most spiritual nations on the African continent.

Home to the third-largest Muslim population in Sub-Saharan Africa and Orthodox Christianity, which is observed by more than 43% of the population, religion is an integral part of daily life. In Western society, religion often plays a lesser role and can be chosen or waived by individuals without much consequence. 

Because of this, youth culture in Ethiopia will continue to be shaped by all the above factors and directed by religion. 

Conclusion

Youth culture is hard to define or pinpoint among youth worldwide, not just in Ethiopia. With so many individuals having varying viewpoints and beliefs, reaching a consensus is not easy. 

However, the evolution of Ethiopia’s youth culture can be seen clearly. And as Western ideas, media, entertainment, and information flood into the country, those living there are given a delicate task.

While keeping their traditions, the current generation of youth must carefully decide which aspects of Western culture they allow in and which they don’t. Failure to make the right decision can lead to a rising culture that could thrust future generations into an identity crisis. 

Webb Fontaine’s Single Window: Paving the Way for Future Trade with New Artificial Intelligence (AI) Features (By Smbat Sargsyan)

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By Smbat Sargsyan, Product Director at Webb Fontaine 

In today’s fast-paced world of trade, the demand for efficiency and transparency has never been more pronounced. Digitalization and cutting-edge technologies have continued to streamline trade processes fostering a more efficient trading ecosystem.

Annually, the European Commission’s Customs Union manages a staggering €3.5 trillion in goods trade, highlighting how vital it is to have smooth customs and clearance control checks. In the past decade, Africa has experienced growth in the export of goods and services and its economics outline promising opportunities for further growth aimed at facilitation and integration.  

As trade volumes continue to rise and digitalization shapes e-commerce, customs, port, and border administrations must adapt quickly to ensure smooth clearance processes, accurate tracking, regulatory compliance, and timely delivery.

As Easy as One Click with AI

At the core of modern trade facilitation lies a Single Window platform for Trade, a facility designed to streamline and optimize the exchange and the submission of documents across international borders. Defined by the UN Economic Commission for Europe, Single Window platforms serve as a centralized hub where all trade and transport stakeholders can submit standardized information and documents through a single-entry point.  

While the concept of Single Window for Trade isn’t new and has existed for one decade, Webb Fontaine’s platform, Webb Single Window, offers a fresh and innovative perspective. In line with evolving market trends, the company constantly innovates, updates, and improves the electronic platform to address current trade challenges.

A significant advantage of the platform is its AI-based solution, which greatly enhances the efficiency and accuracy of trade facilitation processes. With AI-driven document autoclassification and data extraction, the risk of errors is substantially reduced, saving both time and resources for traders and government agencies. Traders can easily submit their documents with just one click, confident that they will automatically be classified with accuracy and precision, while OGAs validate them with a single click.

The most recent addition to the Single Window arsenal is the revamped LPCO (Licenses, Permits, Certificates, and Others) application leveraging advanced technologies such as Spring Boot and React JS. This further enhances a seamless user experience and enhanced scalability.  

Currently, 30% of LPCOs (licenses, permits, certificates, and other trade-related documents) are returned to traders for mistakes and corrections and need to be resubmitted. Webb Fontaine’s solutions substantially reduce the number of LPCOs returned to traders for corrections, resulting in time and cost savings, as well as resources.  

Facilitating Currency Exchange Control 

Across the globe, where the use of digital tools and platforms has accelerated, the demand for forex is on the rise. Webb Fontaine’s eForex module emerges as the perfect resolution for traders and companies battling with the complexities of international transactions. eForex is a crucial tool for central banks or treasuries to monitor foreign currency transactions. Traders can submit requests to a central bank or treasury department for currency exchange approval. These requests may be either approved or rejected by the institution. If approved, the institution vigilantly oversees the usage of the currency by meticulously tracking its allocation in import and export declarations.

In the current landscape of trade facilitation and global commerce, there are numerous challenges such as regulatory compliance, red tape, and onerous customs and trade procedures often impacting businesses’ operations. Webb Fontaine’s innovative solutions effortlessly address many of these issues. The company’s offerings, including its novel rapid deployment capability, enables Governments to benefit from an operational Single Window platform within a mere two to three months.

As trade practices continue to evolve and new challenges arise, the need for effective trade processes becomes more important. By embracing the technological advancements, businesses, government agencies, and regulatory bodies can effectively navigate the complexities of international trade contributing to economic growth and regional integration.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Webb Fontaine.